Most people assume archery is purely visual. It isn't.

A blind archer shoots with the help of a tactile sight — a small stand mounted in front of the shooting line, with a raised marker the archer touches with the back of their hand to square their stance and bow angle. Once the body is aligned, the shot is a physical sequence: draw, anchor, release. The target sits at a fixed distance. The geometry doesn't change between shots.

A spotter stands behind the archer and calls where each arrow lands — clock position and distance from centre — so the archer can adjust.

The sport is governed by World Archery under the VI (visually impaired) category, with three sub-classes based on degree of sight loss. At international level, all VI archers compete blindfolded to equalise the field.

It is, in other words, a real sport with a real competitive structure not a novelty. New Zealand has never had a World champion a blind archer. Jo intends to be the first.